Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
Quantitative Visualization and Detection of Skin Cancer Using Dynamic Thermal Imaging
Published on: May 5, 2011
Detection of hoof lesions using digital infrared thermography in dairy cows
1Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Livestock Technology Section, University of Bonn, Nussallee 5, D-53115 Bonn, Germany.
Insights
Infrared thermography (IRT) can detect early foot pathologies in dairy cows by measuring coronary band temperature differences. This noninvasive tool helps identify hoof lesions associated with lameness, improving early diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Science
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Early detection of dairy cow foot pathologies is crucial for animal welfare and productivity.
- Lameness in dairy cows is often linked to hoof lesions, causing significant economic losses.
- Noninvasive diagnostic tools are needed to identify these conditions effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate infrared thermography (IRT) as a noninvasive method for early detection of foot pathologies in dairy cows.
- To investigate the correlation between coronary band temperature and hoof lesions.
- To establish temperature thresholds for identifying lameness-associated hoof lesions.
Main Methods:
- Collected 626 observations from 24 dairy cows, measuring coronary band (CB) and skin (S) temperatures before and after claw trimming.
- Utilized infrared thermography (IRT) to assess temperature differences (ΔT) between CB and S in hind limbs.
- Analyzed temperature data in relation to hoof health, days in milk, and ambient parlor temperatures.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in CB and S temperatures were observed between cows with and without hoof lesions.
- Established threshold values for ΔT (0.64°C pre-trimming, 1.09°C post-trimming) to detect hoof lesions with high sensitivity and specificity.
- Coronary band and skin temperatures were positively correlated with ambient temperature.
Conclusions:
- Infrared thermography (IRT) effectively detects increased surface temperature in the coronary band region of dairy cows with hoof lesions.
- IRT shows promise as a noninvasive tool for early diagnosis of foot pathologies and lameness in dairy cattle.
- Temperature differences in the coronary band can serve as an indicator for hoof lesions, aiding in timely intervention.
Abstract:
The objective was to investigate infrared thermography (IRT) as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for early detection of foot pathologies in dairy cows. This was achieved by measuring changes in coronary band temperature before and after claw trimming in response to visual detection of abnormalities of the hooves. We hypothesized that by focusing on the coronary band region, IRT is able to detect lesions of the hind limbs of dairy cows associated with lameness. In this study, 626 individual observations were collected from 24 cows before and after claw trimming. Infrared thermography was used to assess the surface temperature of the coronary band (CB) region and skin (S), and the temperature difference (ΔT) between CB and S of the hind limbs. The average, minimum, and maximum surface temperatures were recorded in both regions. Temperatures of CB and S and ΔT were significantly higher in cows ≤200 d in milk than in cows >200 d in milk for all healthy hooves: 31.8±2.7 versus 29.8±3.6; 28.5±2.5 versus 27.2±3.3°C, and 3.31±1.7 versus 2.51±1.3°C, respectively. Temperatures of CB and S regions were positively correlated with ambient temperature. This association was best described by a linear model (R(2)=0.92 and 0.99, respectively). The temperatures of CB and S regions were 30.3±3.2°C and 27.3±2.9°C; 32.1±1.7°C and 28.6±2.1°C; and 33.8±1.3°C and 29.9±1.8°C for parlor temperatures of 12.2, 15.7, and 20.3°C, respectively. In the pre- and post-trimming data analysis, a significant difference was found in temperature of the coronary band between cows with lesions and cows without lesions. A threshold value was established to determine the temperature difference between lesion and nonlesion hind claws on CB at 0.64 and 1.09°C before and after claw trimming (sensitivity=85.7%, specificity=55.9%; and sensitivity=80.0%, specificity=82.9%, respectively) with the aim of detecting hoof lesions. In conclusion, the results demonstrate an increase in surface temperature of the lame limb when a hoof has a lesion.
